As the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reportedly prepares to launch an antitrust case against Google, Congressman Jared Polis has rushed to the search engine's defense.
The Colorado Democrat urged the FTC to refrain from interfering in Google's services or slow down its innovation. He even threatened to go after the FTC's regulatory reach if it decides to go through with a suit.
Polis shared his point of view in a letter to FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz:
"Application of antitrust against Google would be a woefully misguided step that would threaten the integrity of our antitrust system," he wrote.
He went on to say that any suit "could ultimately lead to Congressional action resulting in a reduction in the ability of the FTC" to enforce antitrust cases.
Competing with Google
Polis said it's easy enough for consumers to switch services "with one click" and any intervention could cause unintended consequences in the finicky internet ecosystem.
He emphasized that Google is an important advertising tool that expands businesses, creates jobs and helps online start-ups reach intended audiences.
He said Google doesn't pose a threat to other business and is just as vulnerable to new competition as any other company:
"If I created a better search algorithm I could set up a server in my garage and compete globally with Google," Polis wrote in his letter.
The Congressman went on to say that Google isn't the all encompassing force on the web. Users go to sites like iTunes, Amazon, Yelp and Facebook for other services and don't turn to Google for all their needs.
He also said a lawsuit isn't in the public interest and internet-savvy users haven't asked for protection from Google.
He gave SOPA and PIPA as examples of government regulation that has overstepped its bounds and drew public outcry. He warned that the FTC is in danger of overstepping those bounds once again.
Google vs the FTC
At the heart of the controversy are rumors the FTC is drafting an antitrust case against the search giant.
Earlier this week, The New York Times reported that the FTC was finishing a 100-page long internal memo that recommended the regulator take legal action against Google.
The FTC's main concern with Google is that it's tweaked its search results to benefit the company itself and push competition out of the public eye.
However, the memo is just a recommendation and may not result in any legal action. FTC commissioners would still have to vote on the matter before the regulator makes any legal moves.
Though no legal action has taken place, Congressman Polis is ornery over where this case might go, and isn't shy in expressing that angst, though at this time the representative hasn't shared those feelings with us as he hasn't yet responded to TechRadar's request for comment.
Via The Verge
